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Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1928, Page 2

Just now aerial feats are very much in tb public mind in New Zealand. The great “Southern Cross” looms large, and all the Dominion is centred on its movements. But a cable message this week bad a reference to the Royal Air Force flying boats’ tour, which is of great public interest, because their feat was a great demonstration of reliability. The four flying boats left England last October, and in the interval accomplished a flight of 23,000 miles. They now take up their station at Singapore. As a demonstration of reliability, tile flight will rank as one of the greatest feats in the history of aviation. Throughout the long journcy, each stage lias been, accomplished according to prearranged plan, and without any serious trouble. The fleet, which, on its way from England, made the first aerial coasting of India, reached Singapore in February. After a short stay for overhauling, tlig flying boats went on to circumnavigate the Australian continent, and have now returned to Singapore. Throughout tho. voyage the crews have generally slept aboard tint craft, which, in their capacious hulls, contain sleeping accommodation and cooking plant. It is proposed to make further iong-distanco flights from Singapore to Hong Kong. Wluit has been accomplished by these aerial units of the British defence force, suggests wlmt will be possible commercially as between Australia and New Zealand per medium of tho flying l>oats. It would appear for purposes of security the flying boat is the, best adapted machine for oversea transport of long distances, and the experiences V tho Royal Air Fleet in that fespeet should be a useful guide for possible development.